Capítulo 34: Desire 3
The young deacon stood at the door of the priest's office, his fingers trembling as he gently knocked, his heart heavy with anxiety and unease.
From behind the door came the familiar, deep voice of the priest.
"Come in, Eugene."
The young deacon took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
The young priest sat in his simple wooden chair, holding an old book in his hands, his expression warm and welcoming.
Seeing Eugene enter, the priest offered a slight smile and motioned for him to sit down.
Eugene hesitated for a moment before finally taking a seat across from the priest.
The faint scent of incense lingered in the air, and the silence in the room only made Eugene more uneasy.
He knew he was about to face an incredibly difficult moment, and his soul was being tested in a way it had never been before.
"Father, I... have something I need to ask you,"
Eugene began, his voice trembling slightly.
The priest nodded kindly, his gaze filled with compassion and understanding.
"Go ahead, my child. What troubles you so?"
Eugene took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before speaking.
"Recently, a wealthy merchant came to the church, seeking prayers for his family.
He's a devout man and is willing to make a great contribution to the church...
I thought perhaps we could help him through this difficult time."
As soon as the words left his lips, he felt as if his heart had been torn apart.
He knew his words were filled with deceit. The merchant cared nothing for genuine faith.
He was merely using the church's reputation to serve his own corrupt business dealings.
And yet, Eugene had allowed himself to become the very tool of this lie.
After hearing Eugene's words, the priest's expression remained largely unchanged.
He simply set down the book in his hands and paused for a moment.
He gazed deeply at the young deacon, and in that gaze, it felt as though the priest was seeing straight through to his soul, penetrating beyond his outward appearance into the deepest recesses of his heart.
Eugene's fingers trembled slightly. He couldn't bring himself to meet the priest's eyes, instinctively averting his gaze.
It felt as if he were standing on the edge of a cliff, the ground beneath his feet slowly crumbling away.
The priest did not respond immediately.
The air hung heavy with silence, as though the entire world was waiting for the priest's words.
Eugene's heart pounded in his chest, and sweat began to form in his palms.
Finally, the priest spoke, his voice still gentle but carrying a weight that could not be ignored.
"Eugene, I have always trusted in your loyalty and faith.
You have been the most devout of our church's deacons, and your heart was once as pure as the light that fills this sacred place."
He paused briefly, his gaze still kind.
The young deacon felt an overwhelming sense of pressure, as though he were waiting for judgment to fall upon him.
The priest continued, his tone filled with profound caution.
"Power and wealth are the most dangerous temptations in this world.
They creep in silently, eroding your faith, and devouring your soul.
You must remain ever vigilant and not let these worldly desires take control of your heart."
Eugene's heart clenched.
He knew the priest had seen through his lie, but rather than condemning him directly, the priest chose this gentle, yet firm, way to remind him.
In that instant, Eugene felt an overwhelming wave of shame and guilt.
It was as if he had already fallen into the trap of desire, unable to turn back.
"Father, I..."
His voice caught in his throat, choked with emotion.
He wanted to explain, to justify his actions, but the mercy in the priest's eyes left him with no words to defend himself.
The priest stood up and walked over to Eugene, gently patting his shoulder, his tone still as warm as ever.
"I believe your heart hasn't been entirely consumed by desire yet, but you must choose your own path.
Remember, God's power lies in purifying the soul, not in chasing worldly riches.
You need to ask yourself what kind of person you truly want to become."
Eugene's eyes gradually filled with tears, feeling the torment of the internal struggle.
On one hand was his filial duty to his mother and the hardships of life, and on the other, was the betrayal of his faith and the guilt weighing on his heart.
This inner conflict caused him unbearable pain.
The priest's hand gently left Eugene's shoulder, and he turned back to his seat.
He didn't press any further, nor did he reproach him, only saying softly in the end:
"Eugene, remember, don't let power and wealth devour you."
The young deacon left the church.
The priest stood by the window, watching as Eugene's figure slowly disappeared into the distance.
His deep-set eyes carried an indescribable sense of compassion and helplessness.
Eugene's steps were heavy, as if burdened by invisible chains.
The young priest lowered his head, clasping his hands together over his chest, his gaze filled with a heavy sense of concern.
He let out a quiet sigh, and his faintly moving lips seemed to carry endless resignation and pity.
"Life...
It's like navigating a small boat across the vast sea.
Some seek shortcuts, trying to escape the storm ahead, only to be mercilessly swallowed by the sea."
The dusk outside gradually faded, and the night descended, as if echoing his words.
"And some choose to take the long, steady route, hoping to avoid the reefs and storms.
But in the end, the sea swallows them just the same."
His voice was soft and low, carrying an indescribable sorrow.
"The winds and temptations of this world—who can truly avoid them?
And how many can steer their small boat safely to the destination of their dreams?"
The church bell tolled with a deep, resonant sound, echoing far into the silent night.
The young priest stood by the window, quietly listening to the bell's chime, as though its sound pierced through the darkness.
The young priest knew that Eugene's choice was not unique.
Eugene was merely a reflection of countless souls.
In this world, there were countless others struggling between desire and the storms of life, lost amidst the trials of survival and faith.
They sought shortcuts, perhaps to escape, perhaps to pursue what they believed to be happiness, but the merciless sea swallowed those people whole.
Where, truly, is the end of life's journey?
And how many can truly navigate their small boat and reach the shores of their dreams?
He gently closed his eyes and whispered a prayer.
The bell's chime continued to echo through the night outside the church.
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